Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2017 to start on 29th June 2017 & Registration from 1st March 2017

Jammu (Jammu & Kashmir), January 16, 2017 - The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), in its 32nd Meeting of the Shrine Board today announced the duration and date of commencement of the Shri Amarnath Yatra 2017.

Keeping the the safety and security of the pilgrims as the foremost concern, SASB decided that a 40 day Shri Amarnath Yatra 2017 would commence on 29th June 2017, an auspicious day of Skandshasthi as per Hindu Calendar.

And Shri Amarnath Yatra 2017 would conclude on Shravan Purnima (Raksha Bandhan) on 7th August 2017.

The Board deliberated at length in regard to the number of Yatris who would be allowed to register, date-wise and route-wise, for this year’s Shri Amarnath Yatra. Considering the carrying capacity of the existing tracks and other available infrastructure in the Yatra area, the SASB decided that 7,500 Yatris, per day per each of the two routes, excluding Yatris who would travel by helicopters, would be allowed to register for the pilgrimage.

This translates to a total of 6 lakh pilgrims that would be registered for Shri Amarnath Yatra 2017.

The Board further directed CEO to repeatedly publicize, through the electronic and print media, to advise the intending Yatri to secure the prescribed Compulsory Health Certificate issued by the Doctors / Hospitals nominated by the State or U.T in which he resides and only thereafter processed to seek Advance Registration from the nearest located designated Bank which would issue the pilgrim a Yatra Permit which is valid for his journey on the specified date and the specified route. The Board also advised the CEO to send out a fresh appeal to all the potential pilgrims to consult their doctors before embarking on the pilgrimage.

The Board directed that the CEO should arrange a special Pooja at Chandanwari on the day of Jyesth Purnima, which falls on 9th June 2017, to invoke the blessings of Lord Shiva for the smooth and safe conduct of the pilgrimage.

The Board directed the CEO to take timely steps for ensuring uninterrupted telecom connectivity in the Yatra area during Shri Amarnath Yatra 2017. Appreciating the services rendered by the Langar Organisations during last year Yatra, the SASB expected continued cooperation from them during Yatra 2017.

The Board directed CEO to reiterate and caution all potential pilgrims to duly take into account the harsh climate and terrain in the high altitude region of the Yatra area and prepare themselves fully before embarking on the Yatra Tracks. As in the past the awareness campaign would be launched with the cooperation and support of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and CEO shall also place all information relating to Shri Amarnath Yatra 2017 on the SASB ’s website (www.shriamarnathjishrine.com).

Noting the Chairman’s direction to take sustained efforts to further improve the facilities to be provided to the pilgrims the Board reviewed the Action Plan, which has been drawn up for the conduct of Shri Amarnath Yatra 2017, particularly the arrangements being made for providing medical care, sanitation facilities, and installation of the railings at all vulnerable places along each of the two routes and the measures being taken to preserve the environment of the Yatra area by ensuring solid waste management and removal of garbage in a scientific and environment friendly manner. Chairman directed CEO to ensure that all the arrangements are timely in place well before the commencement of Shri Amarnath Yatra 2017.